THERE will be ‘one or two’ new faces in the Finn Harps squad when they return to pre-season training tomorow night ahead of their return to the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division.
Ollie Horgan has twelve players committed to the club for 2016, including new signings Ryan McConnell and Ryan Curran, but he expects sixteen to take part in the first session at the Aura Leisure Centre.
“I’m hoping to tie a few new players down over the next few days but, as you’re well aware, I won’t be naming names until they have put pen to paper,” Horgan said.
“Hopefully there will be one or two new faces as well as a couple more of the lads who were involved with us last season,” he said.
One player who who won’t be plying his trade at Finn Park next season though is Donegal Town native Liam Martin who joined Sligo Rovers from Irish League side Ballinamallard over the weekend.
On a more positive note however, former Harps player and manager Gavin Dykes looks set to make the move in the opposite direction.
“I do hope to have some news on my back room team in the coming days too but I won’t comment on rumours,” he said.
With Nathan Boyle (Derry City) and Ruairi Keating (Galway) deciding against making a return to Finn Park, Horgan remains short of striking options.
“I’ve been burned a few times these past few weeks trying to sign players but there’s still time to get in the lads we need and want ahead of the new season,” he said.
Meanwhile, Horgan confirmed that three pre-season friendlies have been put in place on the three Saturdays immediately ahead of the new season.
They open with a game against Athlone Town (February 13), followed by UCD (Feb 20) and then Drogheda (Feb 27).
“Times and venues have yet to be decided but it looks as though all games will be away from home at this stage,” he said.